YPSILANTI - Yasser Khan, Executive in Residence at the Eastern Michigan University College of Business, was named to the Oakland County Executive's Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2017.

“President [James] Smith and the Board of Regents have reinforced EMU’s mission as a premier public university, and it is incredibly fulfilling to be recognized for the work our team is doing to advance EMU’s core values,” said Khan.

Each year, the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 program celebrates the achievements of young, professional men and women who are excelling in their fields and giving back to their communities.

In remarks at the Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said, “The Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2017 represents the women and men who are shaping the future of Oakland County and the region. This collection of thought leaders brings a passion and vision to everything they do, enriching the region and improving lives every day.”

The Elite 40 program was established in 2012. Each year’s class is encouraged to give recommendations to the County Executive to improve the quality of life in Oakland County. The program has amassed an impressive group of professionals from various business, government, and non-profit sectors who live or work in Oakland County.

University of Michigan business professor Follett Carter said, “I’ve known Yasser since he was a student in my classroom, and even back then he demonstrated a passion for helping others succeed. Watching him grow into a leadership role at Eastern Michigan University, at such a young age, has been tremendously gratifying, and it’s great to see him recognized with this award.”

As Executive Director of EMU's Sales Management Institute, Khan works closely with corporations looking to recruit EMU students and alumni, and teaches MBA courses in sales management and customer relationship management.

He has served in a variety of sales and sales management positions at IBM, including Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at IBM Miraclesoft, and received the IBM Eminence and Excellence award as the top IBM sales representative in the United States.

Prior to joining IBM, he held a series of Fortune 500 roles in sales, marketing, and business development across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Khan serves on the Board of Directors of the March of Dimes, Founders Junior Council at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Eastern Michigan University's College of Business, and the Oakland County Business Roundtable.

He received a BA in economics from Florida State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, where he served as President of the Wolverine Sales Club.

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.